Fault diagnosis / software

[sebasti0n]

I had an Ignition Coil go on me the other day, and now im worried that if another one goes, how can I tell which one it is... therefore my question is,

is there software out there that I can load onto my laptop to diagnose the problems, and if so, how much does it cost & where can I obtain it from and also the cable....

Many thanks.

 

[DPJ]

Do a search on Vag-Com. (There's a whole sub-forum here about it)

 

[Johnny Leon]

You don't need VAG COM to tell you which coil pack has gone. Take the engine cover off. Start the car - if a coil pack has gone it will be running on three cylinders. Disconnect the electrical connector from one coil pack at a time, starting with the easy to get to ones on the left (it'll need a flat screwdriver blade in the slot at the top and a gentle prise backwards whilst pulling gently on the connector). When disconnection has no effect on the engine note you've found the failed coil pack. Disconnecting a good coil pack will put the engine on two cylinders.

 

[RobM]

VAG-COM is one of the best investments any VAG car owner can make. The amount of time, effort, hassle and stress it can save is endless. If ever you're not convinced the car is performing right, or if you ever get a fault code appear, or a warning light, or any other problem at all... VAG-COM can very quickly help diagnose it, which means trips to the stealers are not necessary as often

 

[longman]

Best investment I have ever made too!!

 

[goble]

as a dealer if one goes we normally change them all once told the customer the problems with them and advise to change all of them

 

[swissrebel]

You don't need VAG COM to tell you which coil pack has gone. Take the engine cover off. Start the car - if a coil pack has gone it will be running on three cylinders. Disconnect the electrical connector from one coil pack at a time, starting with the easy to get to ones on the left (it'll need a flat screwdriver blade in the slot at the top and a gentle prise backwards whilst pulling gently on the connector). When disconnection has no effect on the engine note you've found the failed coil pack. Disconnecting a good coil pack will put the engine on two cylinders.

Isn't that like checking to see if a leg is broken by walking on it?

 

[Johnny Leon]

No...

 

[swissrebel]

Fair enough. I was always told never to let an engine run on any less than all cylinders - not just because of the reduced performance, but because of potential damage to the engine.

I'm sure they were talking crap - and I know sod all about fixing cars

 

[Johnny Leon]

Agreed you wouldn't want to drive on it, but for the couple of mins it takes whilst the engine's just idling its OK. Also agree VAG COM is good to have (I've got it), just advising that if you're stuck on 3 cylinders and have got a spare coil you can fix things without it

 

[Big_daddy]

The funny thing is when my no3 coil pack went i couldnt find the fault code recorded some other members here had the same issue so they had to used old fashion method.

 

[ArosaRacer]

use Vag Com i had 3 coil packs go on saturday and it tells you straight away even with out opening bonnet

 

[Big_daddy]

did yours show a fault?

 

[ArosaRacer]

Yep told me i had misfire on pot 3 then 1 then 2

 

[sebasti0n]

SO where do I get the software & cable from then chaps and how much is it going to set me back ???.... Can some one please spell it out in black & white for me, rather than posting a link to another thread.....

Many thanks.

 

[DPJ]

SO where do I get the software & cable from then chaps and how much is it going to set me back ???.... Can some one please spell it out in black & white for me, rather than posting a link to another thread.....

Many thanks.

It's really not hard to do a search on here and as I said before, there's a whole subforum on this topic for you to read through.